IT'S THE WEEKEND: Grow It - Looking after the heather plant

THERE are not many plants that flourish in the harsh wintry conditions but heather is one kind which does and can flower well into April, bringing a season full of red, pink, purple and white colours.

Heather is a low maintenance plant and can add a dash of colour to any landscape regardless of the season.

There are two groups of heather, the callunas and Erica. Both types are almost identical as well as being evergreen, well-mannered and low-maintenance plants that thrive in many weather conditions.

Heather is a versatile plant that not only looks fabulous in the ground but also in pots and is ideal to be planted in front of your borders. The colourful shrub can grow to 25cm in height, although size and forms vary.

Heather is known to be magnetic to bees and flying insects and provides winter nectar as well as pollen for the bee population.

So what is the best way to care for your heather. Here we have some tip to help you grow the colourful plant to its best.

l Prep the soil – Heathers are acid lovers. Work in damp peat moss or other acidic soil amendments.

l Provide drainage – without decent drainage the plants will not grow. For clay soil build a raised bed with equal parts of topsoil, sand and composted bark or peat moss, which creates an acidic soil that easily drains.

l Plant – Heather should be planted in spring or early autumn. For the first few months water twice a week so the ground is not soggy but moist, this will encourage a rapid growth to help get the heather established. Heathers become drought tolerant after two or three years and can take care of themselves.

l Consider winter exposure – avoid planting the heather in areas that are prone to harsh winter winds as they can become dehydrated. They are fine to be planted in areas with deep snow cover.

l Consider sun exposure - For the best foliage effect you should allow for a minimum of six hours of sunshine every day. In hotter areas where there is afternoon shade available it is best to give the plant six or more hours of sunshine. The colours of the heather can become dull if the plant has too much shade.

l Most importantly, don’t fuss – Heathers like poor soil. Do not give annual doses of fertiliser as this is dangerous to the plant. It is best to give them one dose of fertiliser upon plantation and then leave them alone. The only maintenance that heather requires is shearing once a year, which is best done in the spring before any buds have appeared.